Short answer: the Beyerdynamic DT 880. It ranks #23 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.3/5, at $159.95; the Audio-Technica ATH-R50x ranks #52, rated 4.1/5, and costs $169, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
Why pick the Beyerdynamic DT 880: A preference score of 88 and a neutral tilt show a well balanced tuning, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz within 1 dB of target and upper mids within half a dB. The catch: A 6 dB peak near 5.8 kHz can make hi-hats, snare and sibilant vocals sound sharp, and the treble from 6 to 10 kHz runs about 2 dB hot.
The case for the Audio-Technica ATH-R50x: A preference score of 83 and the smoothest deviation in this group at 1.67 dB make for a very even response, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz and low mids within 0.6 dB of target. Watch for: Sub-bass is about 6 dB low under 60 Hz, so deep rumble is lacking.
Buy the Beyerdynamic DT 880. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Audio-Technica ATH-R50x and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Beyerdynamic DT 880 | Audio-Technica ATH-R50x | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $159.95 | $169.00 |
| Ranked | #23 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #52 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 88 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.05 dB standard deviation | 1.67 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.64 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.2 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Semi-open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 45mm dynamic |
| Impedance | - | 50 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 93.3 dB/mW |
| Weight | - | 0.5 lbs (207 g) |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for Beyerdynamic DT 880:
- Beyerdynamic DT 880 vs Sennheiser HD 505
- Beyerdynamic DT 880 vs Beyerdynamic TYGR 300 R
- Beyerdynamic DT 1350 vs Beyerdynamic DT 880
- Beyerdynamic TYGR 300 R vs Audio-Technica ATH-R50x
- Audio-Technica ATH-R50x vs Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Beyerdynamic DT 880: $159.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 88 and a neutral tilt show a well balanced tuning, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz within 1 dB of target and upper mids within half a dB. The semi-open design offers a more spacious feel than a closed back. It has the same rating as the HIFIMAN Ananda Stealth and Sennheiser HD 505 while costing less than both.
Cons: A 6 dB peak near 5.8 kHz can make hi-hats, snare and sibilant vocals sound sharp, and the treble from 6 to 10 kHz runs about 2 dB hot. The low mids are lifted by about 2 dB and sub-bass is about 4 dB light under 60 Hz, giving a slightly boxy, bass-shy balance. The semi-open back leaks some sound and gives limited isolation.
Full Beyerdynamic DT 880 review and specifications →
| Back | Semi-open |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.05 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 88 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.02 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.4 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +7.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 112 Hz | -3.4 dB | 0.30 |
| Peak | 1,320 Hz | +2.1 dB | 0.54 |
| Peak | 5,760 Hz | -6.1 dB | 4.97 |
| Peak | 4,480 Hz | +3.9 dB | 4.24 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 480 Hz | +0.5 dB | 2.40 |
| Peak | 234 Hz | -0.4 dB | 2.41 |
| Peak | 940 Hz | -0.6 dB | 4.04 |
| Peak | 2,939 Hz | -0.5 dB | 4.92 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Audio-Technica ATH-R50x: $169.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 83 and the smoothest deviation in this group at 1.67 dB make for a very even response, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz and low mids within 0.6 dB of target. At 50 ohms and 93.3 dB/mW sensitivity it can be driven by most portable sources, and at 207 g it is light. It costs less than the AKG K701 and AKG K702 while holding the same rating.
Cons: Sub-bass is about 6 dB low under 60 Hz, so deep rumble is lacking. Treble is slightly forward, with presence about 2 dB high, 6 to 10 kHz about 2.6 dB high and a 4.8 dB peak near 6.3 kHz, which can make vocals and cymbals bright. Its tilt of 0.64 leans bright, and the open back leaks sound.
Full Audio-Technica ATH-R50x review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.67 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 45mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 50 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 93.3 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 30 Hz (-6.4 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.64 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (207 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.2 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +7.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 482 Hz | +2.4 dB | 0.92 |
| Peak | 60 Hz | -4.8 dB | 0.60 |
| Peak | 6,204 Hz | -3.3 dB | 1.70 |
| Peak | 38 Hz | +2.3 dB | 1.60 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,497 Hz | -1.4 dB | 3.40 |
| Peak | 851 Hz | +0.5 dB | 2.04 |
| Peak | 4,628 Hz | +1.6 dB | 4.12 |
| Peak | 3,874 Hz | -2.5 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons